Refugium questions?

[LesPoissons]

Hi guys,
My nitrates are 10 and my phos is 0-0.05 (as far as I cant judge- salifert/sea chem tests) in my 220g mix reef. I added some anthias and some other fish to my bioload so Im expecting values to increase as I add 1 or 2 feedings a day. Should I start a fuge with chaeto or are my values too low to sustain it/is it unecessary?
Also I have this light:


Its 24w- the fuge would be in about a 5g section of my sump- will this light work?

 

[splitting_lanes]

A refugium would help keep water quality up. I‘d do it, if you have the sump space and the light, why not...

 

[PigFarmer]

I added a fuge with about the same nutrient #s as you posted to my 300g system. most comfortable way Ive found to keep my phosphates from bottoming out is I added a additinal feeding of a pellet food that's high in phosphates once a day thru an autofeeder. I was only feeding frozen prior and I couldn't keep my phosphates from the scary low range

 

[LesPoissons]

what wattage light do you use?

 

[Murica]

Love fuges but i think chaetos over rated, ive used a gha algae scrubber with outstanding results. Much easier too imo

 

[PigFarmer]

what wattage light do you use?

the kessil h380

 

[LesPoissons]

I think Ill get some chaeto and see what happens. Unfortunately an alage scrubber is not in the budget. Do you think a 24w light will work? I saw 600w growlight blackboxes but that seems excessive for a space of 5-10g.

 

[splitting_lanes]

I think Ill get some chaeto and see what happens. Unfortunately an alage scrubber is not in the budget. Do you think a 24w light will work? I saw 600w growlight blackboxes but that seems excessive for a space of 5-10g.

I have a 15w H80 on a 4g refugium. The light is 5 inches from the water, I’d suggest you position your light closer to the water (like mine) than others I have seen, less light bleed, brighter where you need it.

 

[Mr Fishface]

I always recommend a refugium if you have space. I have used small plant grow lights with great results. I am now using a 26w cfl daylight bulb for caulerpa prolifera. Works, not as well as the grow light but it does work. I used to run a homemade algae scrubber with 2 13watt cfl on each side. Worked wonders. Ive thought about going back tbh.

 

[Silent]

DIY algae scrubber is cheap if you want it to be. I've seen some really fantastic ones in buckets with lids especially the 5g buckets.

 

[lapin]

If you are on a budget, something like this will work from the local harware or nursery (if it will fit) They should also sell mounts and reflectors for it.

LED Horticultural Grow Light, BR30, 9 Watt - True Value Hardware

GE, LED9BR30W/GROW/B-1T, 9W, White Finish, Br30 Shape, Horticultural Grow, LED Flowering Lamp, Medium Base, Non-Dimmable, CRI=80, 22.8 Year, 25,000 Hours Rated Life, MOL=5.37″, Balanced Spectrum, 16 PFF, Flux Ratio 3 Red, 1 Blue, Suitable For Damp Locations, For Seeds and Greens, Boxed.

www.truevalue.com

 

[Reef-junky]

I think Ill get some chaeto and see what happens. Unfortunately an alage scrubber is not in the budget. Do you think a 24w light will work? I saw 600w growlight blackboxes but that seems excessive for a space of 5-10g.

Not sure how mesh screen and some PVC is out of your budget. You don’t need to buy an expensive ATS you can make one for pretty cheap in fact up to not that long ago your only option was to make one.

 

[BeejReef]

I added a fuge with about the same nutrient #s as you posted to my 300g system. most comfortable way Ive found to keep my phosphates from bottoming out is I added a additinal feeding of a pellet food that's high in phosphates once a day thru an autofeeder. I was only feeding frozen prior and I couldn't keep my phosphates from the scary low range

I'm in the same boat w a fuge and crazy low phosphate. I may try using pellets as well.

 

[PigFarmer]

I'm in the same boat w a fuge and crazy low phosphate. I may try using pellets as well.

this 1 has been doin the trick for me!

 

[LesPoissons]

Thanks guys, did the diy algae scrubber thing. Grew a ton of algae, taking it apart to scrape it etc was a pain and constant messing w my plumbing and no benefit to pods or fish who enjoy algae treats so trying fuge instead

 

[Lear31a]

Hi guys,
My nitrates are 10 and my phos is 0-0.05 (as far as I cant judge- salifert/sea chem tests) in my 220g mix reef. I added some anthias and some other fish to my bioload so Im expecting values to increase as I add 1 or 2 feedings a day. Should I start a fuge with chaeto or are my values too low to sustain it/is it unecessary?
Also I have this light:


Its 24w- the fuge would be in about a 5g section of my sump- will this light work?

I use that light on my fuge. I have to take out 50% of the chaeto every 3 weeks. Grow like a weed under that light.

 

[Lear31a]

I also use this light on my small tanks fuge. Works like a champ.

 

[LesPoissons]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Salty Lemon]

Love fuges but i think chaetos over rated, ive used a gha algae scrubber with outstanding results. Much easier too imo

I've never used an algae scrubber, but I've heard good things about them.

 

[Murica]

I've never used an algae scrubber, but I've heard good things about them.

Personally I think the ones on the market are way too over priced. You can make one for under $20